Just recently watched season 1, and now season 2, because of all the positive hype. I do enjoy the series and am glad I picked it up. However, it is somewhat slow-pacing and rather predictable most of the time. I like series based on games but compared to Akagi, Hikaru no Go, Shion no Ou, etc., this series lacks a sense of suspense and anticipations. Regardless, it's still an above average series in terms of entertainment.

Just recently watched season 1, and now season 2, because of all the positive hype. I do enjoy the series and am glad I picked it up. However, it is somewhat slow-pacing and rather predictable most of the time. I like series based on games but compared to Akagi, Hikaru no Go, Shion no Ou, etc., this series lacks a sense of suspense and anticipations. Regardless, it's still an above average series in terms of entertainment.

I'm glad you at least enjoyed it enough to marathon all the way up to the current episode. That alone speaks a lot since most who would hate it wouldn't bother going through the trouble. I like the pacing. It's centered around the people and not the game per se. I like that difference.

As for today's episode I'm happy to see Arata again

Spoiler Alert! Click to show or hide

The part about Arata's father and his grandfather was hysterical as his dad is just being all disrespectful and openly chowing down on the food left to his father.. at his grave.. in front of the rest of the family.. while Arata was praying.. Then Arata's response was hysterical.. "that's why you never got along.."

Arsenettewrote:
It's centered around the people and not the game per se. I like that difference.

All the series I'd mentioned, the games are the settings and although are very integral to the series, are not the main focus. They are as character-driven as Chihayafuru. If you ever have the chance, check them out. I'm sure you'll enjoy them just as much.

Waterst1wrote:
All the series I'd mentioned, the games are the settings and although are very integral to the series, are not the main focus. They are as character-driven as Chihayafuru. If you ever have the chance, check them out. I'm sure you'll enjoy them just as much.

I haven't seen Akagi or Shion no Ou, but for Hikaru no Go I would agree that there is quite a good amount of character development, especially in Shindo. I think they really took their time in developing Shindo's skill level as well - which I find to be a good thing - as it meant spending some more time meeting up with new characters/rivals to add to the story. I think for Chihafuru (I know u said u thought it was slow-pacing), but I actually think there are some elements to Chihayafuru that are developing too quickly. In particular, Chihaya's skill level seems to have developed so rapidly (she became a class A in the 1st season) - she's even had a match with Shinobu already (of course not for the queen title - but she was so close to making it to the queen match already which I find kinda surprising).

Waterst1wrote:
All the series I'd mentioned, the games are the settings and although are very integral to the series, are not the main focus. They are as character-driven as Chihayafuru. If you ever have the chance, check them out. I'm sure you'll enjoy them just as much.

I haven't seen Akagi or Shion no Ou, but for Hikaru no Go I would agree that there is quite a good amount of character development, especially in Shindo. I think they really took their time in developing Shindo's skill level as well - which I find to be a good thing - as it meant spending some more time meeting up with new characters/rivals to add to the story. I think for Chihafuru (I know u said u thought it was slow-pacing), but I actually think there are some elements to Chihayafuru that are developing too quickly. In particular, Chihaya's skill level seems to have developed so rapidly (she became a class A in the 1st season) - she's even had a match with Shinobu already (of course not for the queen title - but she was so close to making it to the queen match already which I find kinda surprising).

I haven't seen either.

I agree it's developing fast compared to Season 1. Heck by this time last season we were still on back-story.. this season we are already halfway through team regionals.. LOL

I was a little bit disappointed after watching episode 4. It was good, but it wasn't great. If I had more self control I'd wait until the run was finished then watch them all in a marathon. That way I could be more forgiving for the periodic mediocre episodes. But I just love the show too much to be able to do that

suikojaywrote:
I think for Chihafuru (I know u said u thought it was slow-pacing), but I actually think there are some elements to Chihayafuru that are developing too quickly. In particular, Chihaya's skill level seems to have developed so rapidly (she became a class A in the 1st season) - she's even had a match with Shinobu already (of course not for the queen title - but she was so close to making it to the queen match already which I find kinda surprising).

I haven't seen either.

I agree it's developing fast compared to Season 1. Heck by this time last season we were still on back-story.. this season we are already halfway through team regionals.. LOL

What I meant by slow-pacing has more to do with the story rather than the individual characters. Indeed Chihaya's skills has developed rather fast. But the story itself does not lend itself to any sense of urgency or anticipations. All her matches, the outcome were rather predictable.

If the story is fast-paced, you do not have time to catch your breathe. Instead, in this series, you're able to sit back, relax and just enjoy it. And even if you missed some episodes, it won't really change much.

Well, this is odd, because I thought this episode was the best one so far. The game really sucked me in, Taichi was easy to feel for and get behind, and the ending situation was a nice echo of his class B finals match against Porky with a totally different outcome. The support he got when he needed a towel was really heartening, too. Aaaaah... I love this series so much!

Well, this is odd, because I thought this episode was the best one so far. The game really sucked me in, Taichi was easy to feel for and get behind, and the ending situation was a nice echo of his class B finals match against Porky with a totally different outcome. The support he got when he needed a towel was really heartening, too. Aaaaah... I love this series so much!

Teheheheh you and me are in the same boat. I loved the episode. I think it's getting better and better as it goes on.

Well, we all have different opinions about stuff, so I think it's only natural that some like this ep more than others. I liked it a lot myself - of course I've liked every ep so far this season. Personally, I really enjoy the whole cheery atmosphere each episode brings (the great music I think helps a great deal in this - at least for me) - and until that atmosphere dies down, I don't see myself hating or really disliking any episode.

Well, we all have different opinions about stuff, so I think it's only natural that some like this ep more than others. I liked it a lot myself - of course I've liked every ep so far this season. Personally, I really enjoy the whole cheery atmosphere each episode brings (the great music I think helps a great deal in this - at least for me) - and until that atmosphere dies down, I don't see myself hating or really disliking any episode.

Very much agreed. So far with Sumire calming down where she's no longer annoying me I am rewatching this current season a lot more than I did when the first season was going. So much more going on at a faster pace. I'm curious how much they will fill if we are already at regionals this early..

Well, we all have different opinions about stuff, so I think it's only natural that some like this ep more than others. I liked it a lot myself - of course I've liked every ep so far this season. Personally, I really enjoy the whole cheery atmosphere each episode brings (the great music I think helps a great deal in this - at least for me) - and until that atmosphere dies down, I don't see myself hating or really disliking any episode.

Very much agreed. So far with Sumire calming down where she's no longer annoying me I am rewatching this current season a lot more than I did when the first season was going. So much more going on at a faster pace. I'm curious how much they will fill if we are already at regionals this early..

I love the show now too and have even gotten past the expectations of a progressing romance. Karuta is the main focus of the show and somehow this show has made the card game very exciting, beautiful, romantic in a different way than your standard story.

The second season has started faster than the first but in a good way I say!

I want to see more of Sumire now and am also glad she isn't as one dimensional as she first appeared.